Synthetic Injected Hydrophilic Filter System

ABSTRACT

A filter system and method of making same is disclosed. The system includes one or more of filter units, each having a plurality of spaced apart hydrophilic filter tubes coated with an attractant that entrains particulates without the need for woven filter material. The filter tubes may have a plurality of apertures therethrough to increase the surface area of the filter tubes. The filter units may be placed adjacent to each other but with their filter tubes laterally offset to increase the likelihood that particles will engage at least one coated tube.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/903,549 filed on Nov. 13, 2013, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

This application generally relates to a system, apparatus, and methodfor removing particulates from an airflow using a filter module. Variousmachines spanning a variety of industries, e.g., computers, radiators,etc., often include airflow that passes into, through, and/or out of themachines. The airflow often contains particulates that are eithergenerated by the machine or enter the airflow from the machine'ssurrounding environment. These particulates may impair the machine'sfunctionality, and so it is therefore beneficial to remove theparticulates from the airflow using a filter module.

By making the modules removable, replacement becomes quicker and easier.U.S. Pat. No. 8,343,247 (which is incorporated by reference) shows afilter housing with an intake opening and an outlet opening forchannelling machine exhaust through, at least one mounting element formounting the filter module on a machine, and a filter assembly arrangedin the filter housing and comprised of at least two filter groups,arranged in tandem in the direction of flow and comprised of rod-shapedfilter elements with a filter medium, said elements being arrangedparallel to one another at a constant center-to-center distance and withtheir longitudinal axis largely crosswise to the direction of flow,wherein the filter elements of two adjacent filter groups are parallelto one another, and are arranged offset in relation to one another,crosswise to their longitudinal axes and to the direction of flow.

From U.S. Pat. No. 6,726,749 (which is incorporated by reference), afilter device of this type designed for removing air-polluting materialsfrom the exhaust air from machines, especially office machines, isknown. This device has a plurality of filter sticks in a filter housing,which sticks are supplied with fluid from a fluid container, and afastening device for mounting the filter housing on a machine, whereinthe filter rods are positioned in the exhaust air flow. As can be seenin FIG. 7 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,726,749, in one embodiment the filter rodsare arranged in rows, and the rows are offset in relation to oneanother. The air-polluting materials are absorbed as they pass by thefilter rods wetted with the fluid, and are thereby removed from theexhaust air flow.

One disadvantage of these systems is that the filter rods are difficultand expensive to manufacturer and that maintenance or replacement of thefilter rods is correspondingly laborious and tedious. Alsodisadvantageous is that the fluid is consumed when the filter device isin use, and the fluid container must be regularly refilled to extend itsuseful period, to maintain the wetting of the filter rods. This fillingprocess requires a great deal of caution or additional accessories toprevent contamination. Independent of the need to repeatedly supply thefilter with fluid, if the filter rods are badly soiled following anextended period of use or due to severely polluted machine exhaust, areconditioning cleaning or replacement of the filter rods or of theentire filter device may be necessary, which, because of theindividually attached filter rods, entails high costs from increasedhandling expenses or a complete replacement.

Further, the use of woven filter materials has proven to bedisadvantageous in that they are difficult or impossible to clean andreuse and become clogged relatively quickly. The present disclosureprovides a filter device that is cheaper to manufacture, use andreplace.

SUMMARY

The following summary is intended to assist the reader in understandingthe full disclosure and the claims. The claims define the scope of theinvention, not this summary.

According to an aspect of one or more exemplary embodiments, there isprovided a filter system for removing particulates from a flow of air ina variety of applications, including machine exhaust, filtering air flowin a room using a radiator, and internal machine air flow in, forexample, slot machines, automatic teller machines (ATMs), andautomobiles. The filter system may include at least first and secondparallel filter units disposed adjacent each other, each such filterunits having a longitudinal axis and a plurality of spaced-apart filtertubes defining a gap there between. The filter units may be laterallyoffset relative to each other so that the gaps in said first unit areadjacent filter tubes in said second unit. The filter tubes may beformed of a hydrophilic material capable of retaining a liquidattractant, and may be covered at least in part, by an attractantformulated to entrain particulates. The filter tubes may include aplurality of apertures over its surfaces to thereby increase the surfacearea available for coverage by said attractant.

Alternatively, the system has only one unit or even one tube. Inaddition, the apertures of the filter tubes may be rectangular and/orthe filter tubes may be cylindrical. The first and second units may bejoined together to form an array. The entire filter system may be aunitary element formed from a single shot injection, using, for exampleand without limitation, a synthetic material such as Polyamide 6 (“PA6”)or similar, by injection molding. Producing the components of the filterunit using a plastic injection molding process may be economicalespecially when large piece numbers are required, and may achieveconsistently high work piece precision levels and quality. In selectingthe plastic to be used, the temperature of the exhaust air may be takeninto account so that during use, no impermissible shape changes in thecomponents of the filter module occur as a result of the exhaust airtemperatures.

The filter tubes of the filter system may be hollow and include amagnetic strip element. The filter tubes may be hollow and include aconnection for providing a vacuum to at least some of the tubes towithdraw air therefrom. The filter tubes may be hollow and include aconnection for providing a positive air flow to at least some of thetubes to purge tubes of particulates and clear the apertures. A surfacearea of the filter tubes in a plane perpendicular to the direction offlow may have a larger surface area than the free passage surface areabetween the filter tubes in a plane perpendicular to the direction offlow of air.

The attractant may be a fluid selected from the group consisting ofglycerin, silicone oil, essential oil, paraffin oil, and latex emulsion.The attractant may also include a substance selected from the groupconsisting of an antibacterial, antiviral, antimycotic, and fungicidalsubstance. The attractant does not require any fluid container, and mayhave a molecular structure that allows the attractant to resist dryingout for substantial periods of time. The filter tube may also include asurface treatment selected from the group consisting of anantibacterial, antiviral, antimycotic and fungicidal surface. One ormore of the filter tubes may have a cross-sectional shape selected fromthe group consisting of rectangle, square, triangle, circle, star andoval.

The filter system may also include a connector disposed on one of thefirst and second filter units and a receiver on the other of the firstand second filter units for connecting the filter units. For example,the connector and receiver may include magnets that connect the firstand second filter units. The magnets may also connect the first andsecond filter units to a machine or radiator for performing filtering.The magnets may also be used to connect the first and second filterunits in various configurations to accommodate various lengths andsizes.

According to another aspect of one or more exemplary embodiments, thereis provided a method of making an air filter devoid of woven filtermaterial comprising any or all of the following steps, in any order:

-   -   (a) forming a first filter unit using one or more hydrophilic        materials, such that the first filter unit includes a plurality        of tubes that may have a plurality of apertures on the surface        of said tubes, said tubes being formed in a side-by-side,        generally parallel relationship with gaps between said tubes;    -   (b) forming a second filter unit using one or more hydrophilic        materials, such that the second filter unit includes a plurality        of tubes that may have a plurality of apertures on the surface        of said tubes, said tubes being formed in a side by side        generally parallel relationship with gaps between said tubes;    -   (c) disposing the first and second filter units adjacent to each        other with said tubes offset between units so that a tube in the        first unit is adjacent a gap in the second unit    -   (d) coating at least a portion of said tubes in a liquid        particulate attractant, said attractant having an affinity to        said hydrophilic materials.

The method may also include periodically applying a vacuum to ends of atleast some of said tubes to attract particulates thereto via saidapertures. The method may also include periodically applying a positivepressure to ends of at least some of said tubes to purge particulatesfrom said apertures.

According to yet another aspect of one or more exemplary embodiments,there is provided a filtration tube that may include a hollow tube thatmay have a plurality of apertures therethrough to increase its surfacearea; the tube being formed to have a hydrophilic surface to receive andretain an attractant fluid. The tube may also be covered at least inpart, by an attractant fluid capable of entraining particulates.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a filter unit having a pluralityof filter tubes, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is front plan view of one face of the filter unit, according toan exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a top plan schematic view of the filter unit, according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a close up rear perspective view with portions broken away,according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a close up front perspective view with portions broken away,according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of the rear face and end of a filterunit, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a front elevated perspective view of a pair of filter unitsjoined together, according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

By way of introduction, it is noted that in the differently describedembodiments, equivalent parts are designated by the same referencesymbols or component descriptions, wherein the disclosures contained inthe entire description can be logically transferred to equivalent partshaving the same reference symbols or the same component descriptions.Also, positional information selected in the description, such as above,below, to the side, etc., refers to the immediately described orillustrated figure, and, in the case of a position change, can belogically transferred to the new position. Furthermore, individualcharacterizing features or combinations of features from the illustratedand described exemplary embodiments can also represent solutions thatare independent, inventive or specified in the inventive concepts.

The filtration system according to one or more of the exemplaryembodiments described herein may be used for many environments, mostparticularly, office machines, computer displays, or the like whicheither generate particulates or are in dirty environments. The followingadditional areas of application of the filter module of the exemplaryembodiments are listed as examples of the multitude of potentialapplications: installation in or on the outlet of exhaust pipes orchimneys, use as a back-up filter or supplementary filter for vacuumcleaners, use in motor vehicles, for example as a supplementary airfilter or as a filter for the air in the interior of the vehicle, forexample as a pollen filter, as an industrial filter in power plants,filters for indoor air systems, such as air conditioners or ventilationsystems. Express reference is made in this connection to the possibleuse as a filter for supplied air, ambient air, or intake air for thewidest range of machine types.

Exemplary embodiments will now be described with reference to theattached drawings. It is understood that the filter unit may be usedwith a ventilator/fan (not shown in Figures) which will draw air throughthe filter unit, however the filter unit does not require a fan orventilator. In addition, the mounting units, which mount the filter unitto the machine producing the exhaust, are not described herein but canbe any mounting mechanism known in the art or by those described in thepatents discussed above.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a filter unit according to anexemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, filter unit 10 includes a topplate 22 and a bottom plate 24, two side plates 25 and 26, and aplurality of filter tubes 20 which are disposed between top plate 22 andbottom plate 24. Filter tubes 20 each may have open ends 60 a and 60 bat opposite ends of the filter tube 20. Filter unit 10 may also includea junction clip 52 that is used to connect filter unit 10 to otherfilter units, as will described below. Filter unit 10 may also includeintermediary cross member 30. Filter tubes 20 may pass through or besupported by intermediary cross member 30. Filter unit 10 may beproduced as a single injection molded unit with filter tubes 20, top andbottom walls 22, 24, sidewalls 25, 26, and optionally middle support 30formed in a single shot. This creates a unitary device in one step.

Filter tubes 20 may be formed of a substantially rigid material so thatthe filter tubes 20 themselves are self-supporting. In addition, filtertubes 20 may be constructed using a non-woven material that may notindependently filter air, but that does filter air in combination withan attractant that is applied to the filter tubes 20, as will bediscussed below. The filter tubes 20 may be constructed ofnon-absorbent, PA6 or similar material, but the filter tube 20 accordingto an exemplary embodiment does not absorb any liquid, including theattractant discussed further below. This makes it possible to clean thetube by washing and recoating with attractant. More specifically, filterunit 10 may be formed using PA6 made by many companies such as BASF®.One version, Polyamide B: PA 6 (unreinforced) from BASF® is quoted as atough and strong material affording parts with good dampingcharacteristics and high shock resistance even in the dry state and atlow temperatures. Ultramid PA6 is distinguished by particularly highimpact resistance and ease of processing. The characteristic of PA6which is of particular interest to the present disclosure is that it ishydrophilic with respect to oil so that it will attract and retain oilwithout simply miming off. Other materials with hydrophilic propertiesmay also be used in the filter unit according to the exemplaryembodiment.

The filter tubes 20 may be covered in an oil or other attractant orwetting agent selected from the group of fluids such as glycerin,silicone oil, essential oil, paraffin oil, and/or latex emulsion.According to an exemplary embodiment, the attractant may be a siliconeoil type AK 2000 from Wacker Chemie AG, but such an attractant is merelyexemplary and can be replaced by other attractants. The air-pollutingmaterials in the machine exhaust, such as dust, fine dust, ultrafineparticles pollen, spores, bacteria, other aerosols with solid or liquidparticles, and in the case of an office machine especially toner dustand/or paper wear debris, can be effectively bonded mechanically whenthey come in contact with the wetted filter medium. Gaseous pollutants,such as ozone, benzole, phenol, carbon dioxide, formaldehyde orunpleasant odors can also be chemically absorbed and/or neutralized bycoming into contact with the fluid. Further, according to anotherexemplary embodiment of the filter unit, it may be advantageous to equipthe filter unit with an antibacterial surface. This can be accomplished,for example, with a coating or impregnation with silver, especiallynanoscale silver, or a silver compound. Moreover, to removeferromagnetic particles, such as iron wear debris, from the machine, oneor more exemplary embodiments provide that one or more filter units maybe equipped with a magnetic element or a magnetic component, which maybe a permanent magnet or an electromagnet.

The filter unit according to an exemplary embodiment may result in lowvapor pressure and correspondingly low evaporation rate, which producesa long service life. The viscosity of these fluids is further favorableto an even distribution in the filter tube via the capillary andhydrophilic effect that occurs with the wetting of the filter tube. Witha correspondingly adjusted high level of viscosity and surface tension,a direct wetting of the filter tube is also possible, whereby a filtermedium is effectively formed by the fluid on the tube.

FIG. 2 is front plan view of one face of a filter unit according to anexemplary embodiment. FIG. 3 is a top plan schematic view of the filterunit, according to an exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3,the filter unit according to the exemplary embodiment may include firstfiltering unit 10 and second filtering unit 12 disposed directlyadjacent to each other. The exhaust air is filtered through the filterunits 10 and 12 with each filter unit including multiple rod-shapedfilter tubes 20, which are arranged with their longitudinal axes largelyperpendicular to the direction of air flow 50, and which may be parallelto one another at a consistent center-to-center distance. The filtertubes 20 of the two adjacent filter units 10, 12 may also be parallel toone another. Filter tubes 20 may be connected at their open ends 60 a,60 b to a source of air or vacuum 74 by direct connection to the tubeends or by a manifold 72 and a single connection to each filter tube 20.Connecting a vacuum to the filter tubes may help draw particulates tothe tubes to further enhance filtering.

The individual filter tubes 20 may be cylindrically shaped with a roundcross-section. As an alternative to this cylindrical configuration,other shapes such as square, triangular, star-shaped, circular, or ovalcross-sections, are also possible. The rectangular, triangular or round,especially circular, embodiment of the filter elements may be easier toproduce in terms of manufacturing technology. In addition, therectangular and circular cylindrical forms may favor a symmetricalconfiguration of the filter inserts. The star-shaped cross-section, incontrast, offers a high value in the ratio of surface to volume of thefilter element, allowing a large filter surface to be accommodated in arelatively small space. The cross-sectional shape can also be used toinfluence the flow of exhaust air through the filter units, for exampleto eddy the flow through cross-sections that are unfavorable to flow,such as rectangular cross-sections, and to intensify contact of theexhaust air with the filter tubes. The cross-sectional shape may be usedto calm the flow through cross-sections that are favorable to flow, suchas triangular cross-sections, if the exhaust air flow from the machineis strong and turbulent and therefore potentially disruptive.

According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the filtertubes 20 from two filter units 10, 12 are not arranged in tandem in astraight line viewed in the direction of air flow 50, but are offset,parallel to one another, perpendicular to the direction of air flow 50.In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, two structurally uniformfilter units 10, 12 are arranged offset in relation to one another byhalf the center-to-center distance, whereby tubes are situated in tandemare also offset in relation to one another, and in each case, a filtertube 20 of filter unit 10 is centered behind a gap formed by twoadjacent filter tubes 20 of adjacent filter unit 12. If the width of thefilter tubes 20 is greater than half the center-to-center distance, asin the illustrated example, it is essentially impossible forparticulates to pass through the filter array in a straight line, whichforces a sharp redirection of the exhaust air flowing through, therebyincreasing the filtering effect. According to an exemplary embodiment,the center-to-center spacing may not be uniform, and the width of thetube may not be greater than half of the center-to-center distance.

With further reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, to attract ferrous metalparticulates, a magnetic strip 70 may be located within the filter tubes20, or the tubes themselves may be a constructed using a magneticmaterial that is coated with a hydrophilic material. The filter tubes 20may have a surface area in a plane perpendicular to the direction offlow which has a larger surface area than the free passage surface areabetween the filter tubes in a plane perpendicular to the direction offlow of air.

FIG. 4 is a close up rear perspective view with portions broken away ofa filtering unit according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 5 is a closeup front perspective view with portions broken away of a filtering unitaccording to an exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, thefilter unit according to an exemplary embodiment may include junctionclips 52 and like engagement recesses 54 so that two, three or moreunits can be joined back to back as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7. In addition,the filter unit may include filter tubes 20 having a tubular shape, butthe filter tubes 20 may also be oval, multi-sided, or other shape. Eachfilter tube 20 may also include a plurality of small apertures 40 whichincrease the effective surface area of the filter tube 20 substantiallyand provide a passage for air.

The apertures 40 may be rectangular or square, but may be other shapesincluding round, oval or irregular to increase the surface area further.For example, and without limitation, for a filter unit having dimensionsof 15 cm×15 cm, aperture 40 may be approximately 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm (andany increment thereof in 0.01 mm) in diameter or diagonal measurement.

In the filter unit according to an exemplary embodiment, the attractant(the word oil will be used as a generic term for all possibleattractants) combined with the hydrophilic properties of the tubematerial become the filter medium without the need for woven material.By dramatically increasing the surface area of the tube, by creatingapertures, the filter media for a single tube is substantially greaterthan the mere tube without apertures. Thus the loading capacity of thetube is also substantially greater. In addition, when a vacuum isconnected to the filter tubes, as shown in FIG. 2, particulates aredrawn to the filter tubes 20 by lowering the pressure therein at theapertures 40. The withdrawn air can be recirculated or expelled.

As particulates pass through the apertures 40, they become entrapped bythe oil/attractant as they are required to make the directional turn upthe hollow filter tube 20. As the filter tubes 20 become loaded withparticulates or the apertures 40 become blocked, the amount offiltration will eventually reach a level which is too low to beeffective. At that point, a pressure differential tester that measurespressure from front to back of the filter unit(s) will reach apredetermined level indicating that the filter should be changed,cleaned or purged. Because the filter media is an attractant, it can beremoved by washing the unit in a detergent and the unit can be re-oiled.As a result of the construction employed in the exemplary embodiments,it is possible to entrain substantial amounts of particulates withoutthe need for woven filter materials. In addition, a pulse-widthmodulation (PWM) fan may be used to purge the filter unit ofparticulates. If the filter unit becomes overly saturated withparticulates, the speed of the PWM fan may be increased in order topurge the particulates. The saturation level may be monitored so thatthe speed of the PWM fan may be decreased once the particulate level hasreached an acceptable level.

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of the rear face and end, of a filterunit, according to an exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 6, thefilter unit according to the exemplary embodiment may have variousshapes. For example, the filter unit may be rectangular with the lengthof the top plate 22 substantially greater than the length of side plate26. By contrast, the filter unit shown in FIG. 1 includes top plate 22,bottom plate 24, and side plates 25, 26 that are roughly equivalent insize. As also shown in FIG. 6, the filter unit may include multiplejunction clips 52 and engagement recesses 54 to facilitate joiningmultiple filter units together to form a filter array.

FIG. 7 is a front elevated perspective view of a pair of filter unitsjoined together, according to an exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG.7, two filter units 10, 12 may be configured back to back. Filter tubes20 of first filter unit 10 may be laterally offset with respect tofilter tubes 20 of second filter unit 12 so as to increase thelikelihood that air engages at least one of the units. In thisconfiguration, gaps between the filter tubes 20 in the first filter unit10 are blocked by filter tubes 20 of the second filter unit 12 whenviewed in the direction in which air would flow through the filter.Since particulates are heavier than air, they are less likely to be ableto make the required arc between adjacent tubes in the two units and arelikely to engage one of the tubes by centrifugal force.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, it may also be advantageousto orient the longitudinal axes of the tubes to the direction of flow,in order to create large active surfaces and a sharp redirection of theexhaust air. With this arrangement of the filter elements, the filtermodule can be configured to be short, viewed in the direction of flow,with multiple filter inserts in tandem.

According to an alternative exemplary embodiment, a reverse flow ofpurging air can be introduced into the tubes to clear particulates outof the holes. This is preferably done when the ventilator/air flowdevice is turned off so that particulates have an opportunity to beentrained on other parts of the unit which are also covered in oil, orif the unit is sitting in a reservoir of oil, or the base frame of theunit is covered in oil, the particulates will merely fall down to suchoiled surface and be entrained when the ventilator is restarted.

In addition to the filter unit described above, the disclosure alsoprovides a method of manufacturing a filtration unit according to anexemplary embodiment that may include molding a plurality of adjacenthydrophilic tubes into an array of tubes that area adjacent but spacedapart from each other, covering the tubes with an attractant, andpassing exhaust air through the tube array so that air encounters thetubes.

The method according to the exemplary embodiment may also include makingan air filter devoid of woven filter material with one or more of thefollowing:

-   -   (a) forming a filter unit having a plurality of porous tubes        using hydrophilic materials, wherein the tubes being formed in a        side by side generally parallel relationship with gaps between        the tubes;    -   (b) forming a second filter unit having a plurality of porous        tubes using hydrophilic materials, wherein the tubes are formed        in a side by side generally parallel relationship with gaps        between the tubes;    -   (c) disposing the filter units adjacent to each other with said        tubes offset between units so that a tube in the first unit is        adjacent a gap between tubes in the second unit;    -   (d) coating at least a portion of the tubes in a liquid        particulate attractant, wherein the attractant has an affinity        to the hydrophilic materials.

To increase efficiency, the method may include disposing a plurality oftube arrays/units back-to-back but offset so that spaces between tubesin one unit are adjacent tubes in the adjacent unit so that exhaust airis more likely to engage one or more tubes when traveling orthogonallyto the length of the tube.

To further increase efficiency, the method may include forming aplurality of holes in each tube to increase the surface area which canreceive the attractant. To even further increase efficiency, the methodmay include applying a vacuum to the end of the tubes to drawparticulates to the holes. Also to further increase efficiency, themethod may include periodically providing a positive pressure flow intothe ends of the tubes to purge the holes of particulates, particularlywhen the ventilator is not running so that particulates may be entrainedon other surfaces in the gravitational path where further attractant islocated.

The description of the exemplary embodiments and its applications as setforth herein is illustrative and is not intended to limit the scope ofthe claims. Variations and modifications of the exemplary embodimentsdisclosed herein are possible and practical alternatives to andequivalents of the various elements of the exemplary embodiments wouldbe understood to those of ordinary skill in the art upon study of thispatent document. These and other variations and modifications of theexemplary embodiments disclosed herein may be made without departingfrom the scope and spirit of the inventive concept.

What is claimed is:
 1. A filter system for removing particulates from aflow of an air exhaust system comprising: a first filter unit comprisinga first plurality of filter tubes having a first longitudinal axis,wherein the filter tubes of the first plurality of filter tubes arespaced to create one or more gaps between the filter tubes of the firstplurality of filter tubes; wherein at least one of the filter tubes ofthe first plurality of filter tubes is formed of a hydrophilic materialcapable of retaining a liquid attractant; and wherein the firstplurality of filter tubes is covered at least in part by an attractantformulated to entrain particulates.
 2. The filter system according toclaim 1, further comprising: a second filter unit comprising a secondplurality of filter tubes having a second longitudinal axis, wherein thefilter tubes of the second plurality of filter tubes are spaced tocreate one or more gaps between the filter tubes of the second pluralityof filter tubes; wherein the second filter unit is disposed adjacent tothe first filter unit; and wherein the first plurality of filter tubesare laterally offset with respect to the second plurality of filtertubes such that at least one gap between filter tubes in the firstplurality of filter tubes is adjacent to a filter tube of the secondplurality of filter tubes.
 3. The filter system according to claim 1,wherein the at least one of the first plurality of filter tubescomprises a plurality of apertures on its surface to thereby increasethe surface area available for coverage by the attractant.
 4. The filtersystem according to claim 3, wherein the apertures are rectangular. 5.The filter system according to claim 3, wherein the filter tubes arecylindrical.
 6. The filter system according to claim 2, wherein thefirst and second filter units are joined together to form a filterarray.
 7. The filter system of claim 1, wherein the entire filter systemis a unitary element formed from a single shot injection.
 8. The filtersystem of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first plurality of filtertubes is hollow and includes a magnetic strip element.
 9. The filtersystem of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first plurality of filtertubes is hollow and includes a connection for providing a vacuum towithdraw air therefrom.
 10. The filter system of claim 1, wherein atleast one of the first plurality of filter tubes is hollow and includesa connection for providing a positive air flow to at least one of thefirst plurality of filter tubes to purge the at least one filter tube ofparticulates.
 11. The filter system according to claim 1, wherein asurface area of one filter tube of the first plurality of filter tubesin a plane perpendicular to a direction of airflow through the filterunit is greater than a surface area of a gap between two filter tubes ofthe first plurality of filter tubes in a plane perpendicular to thedirection of airflow through the filter.
 12. The filter system accordingto claim 1, wherein the attractant comprises fluid selected from thegroup consisting of glycerin, silicone oil, essential oil, paraffin oiland latex emulsion.
 13. The filter system according to claim 1, whereinthe attractant comprises a substance selected from the group consistingof an antibacterial, antiviral, antimycotic, and fungicidal substance.14. The filter system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of thefirst plurality of filter tubes comprises a surface treatment selectedfrom the group consisting of an antibacterial, antiviral, antimycotic,and fungicidal surface.
 15. The filter system according to claim 1,wherein at least one of the first plurality of filter tubes has across-sectional shape selected from the group consisting of rectangle,square, triangle, circle, star, and oval.
 16. The filter systemaccording to claim 2, further comprising: a connector disposed on thefirst filter unit; and a receiver disposed on the second filter unit;wherein the connector and the receiver are configured to interconnect tojoin the first filter unit and the second filter unit.
 17. The filtersystem of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first plurality of filtertubes is formed of a substantially rigid non-absorbent material.
 18. Thefilter system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first plurality offilter tubes is made of a non-woven material.
 19. The filter system ofclaim 2, wherein said first and second pluralities of filter tubes arelaterally offset relative to each other so that gaps between the filtertubes of the first plurality of filter tubes are blocked by filter tubesof the second plurality of filter tubes when viewed in a direction inwhich air flows through the filter system.
 20. A method of making an airfilter system, the method comprising: forming a first filter unit usinga hydrophilic material, said first filter unit comprising of a firstplurality of filter tubes configured in a side-by-side, generallyparallel relationship with gaps between said filter tubes of said firstplurality of filter tubes; and coating at least a portion of said firstplurality of filter tubes in a liquid particulate attractant, saidattractant having an affinity to said hydrophilic material; wherein saidhydrophilic material is capable of retaining said liquid particulateattractant.
 21. The method of claim 20, further comprising: forming asecond filter unit using a hydrophilic material, said second filter unitcomprising a second plurality of filter tubes configured in aside-by-side, generally parallel relationship with gaps between saidfilter tubes of said second plurality of filter tubes; and disposing thesecond filter unit adjacent to the first filter unit such that the firstplurality of filter tubes are laterally offset with respect to thesecond plurality of filter tubes such that at least one gap betweenfilter tubes in the first plurality of filter tubes is adjacent to afilter tube of the second plurality of filter tubes.
 22. The method ofclaim 20, wherein forming the first filter unit comprises forming aplurality of apertures on a surface of at least one filter tube of thefirst plurality of filter tubes.
 23. The method of claim 22 furthercomprising applying a vacuum to an end of at least one of the firstplurality of filter tubes to attract particulates thereto via saidplurality of apertures.
 24. The method of claim 22 further comprisingapplying a positive pressure to an end of at least one of the firstplurality of filter tubes to purge particulates from said plurality ofapertures.
 25. The method of claim 20, wherein at least one of the firstplurality of filter tubes is made of a non-woven material.
 26. Afiltration tube comprising: a hollow, non-absorbent tube comprising aplurality of apertures therethrough; wherein, the tube is formed to havea hydrophilic surface to receive and retain an attractant fluid; andwherein said tube is covered at least in part, by an attractant fluidcapable of entraining particulates.